Click to play videoNew Delhi: Ajay and Sonu are both students at the Delhi University. Being visually impaired doesn't stop them from pursuing their Masters in Political Science. But there's something else that does.
“I have a computer, an internet connection, a software that reads out the text for me but the problems is I cant access the websites,” says Ajay.
Infact 99 per cent of Indian websites do not cater to the visually impaired. The main problem is with the websites that depend heavily on softwares like Flash and animations to convey the information with no other text alternatives.
“Especially when there's a money transaction involved, most websites ask a visual code to be entered, it’s frustrating,” says a DU teacher.
And this when there are clearly laid down W3CG guidelines in place to help a web designer make a website disabled friendly. In fact the disability act of 1995 and the more recent UN convention, that India ratified in 2007 emphasize on accessibility issues for the disabled.
“Its mandatory and applicable in India as well but its not executed,” says Javed Abidi from NCPEDP an NGO
But all the paper work so far has not made life any easier for students like Ajay.
The irony is that when Indian designers design for international websites, they have to follow these guidelines but that does not extend to designing Indian websites.
The government needs to ensure that visually impaired are not denied access not just to a website but to their basic right to information.
(For updates you can share with your friends, follow IBNLive on Facebook, Twitter, Google+ and Pinterest)
 |
 |
 |
|
More on IBNLive Right Now
TOP NEWS
MOST SHARED
PHOTOGALLERY
